27 h. ago Milei’s win in Argentina had Trump’s fingerprints all over it. But just how long will their friendship last? | Jordana Timerman

The Argentine president’s libertarian experiment is in tatters, and his hold on power seems increasingly dependent on volatile US supportJordana Timerman is a journalist based in Buenos Aires; she edits the Latin America Daily BriefingIn 1946, Argentina was emerging from military rule, an empowered labour movement was reshaping politics and Col Juan Perón, a leftwing leader who had introduced a raft of popular workers’ rights decrees, was rising fast in the polls. The then US ambassador, Spruille Braden, had other ideas about who should win the national election that year, and he openly campaigned against Perón in Buenos Aires. Braden’s action stands out as one of the most brazen instances of US interference in Argentina’s politics. Until now.The Argentine president, Javier Milei, who won a resounding midterm victory on Sunday, has received ample support from Donald Trump. Ahead of the congressional elections, Trump endorsed Milei and warned: “If he loses, we are not going to be gen...

Politics

28 h. ago Trump’s bailout threat may have been key to Milei’s electoral triumph in Argentina

Voters appear to have responded to idea that US president’s ‘generosity’ would evaporate if Milei failed to win“The dollar always talks in the end,” Donald Trump wrote in his 1987 bestseller The Art of the Deal.Javier Milei’s surprise triumph in Argentina’s midterm elections – after Trump bailed him out with 40bn of them – suggests there may be some truth to that assertion. Continue reading...

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36 h. ago Javier Milei’s party wins Argentina’s midterm elections despite falling polls

One polling expert was surprised by Milei's performance in the local elections

Politics

41 h. ago Argentina’s Javier Milei hails ‘historic’ win in pivotal elections

Free-market president wins endorsement for reforms after weeks of financial market turmoil

Politics

3 d. ago Argentina goes to polls amid economic crisis and Trump ‘interference’

Poor showing in Sunday’s election would deal hammer blow to country’s radical libertarian president, Javier MileiArgentina’s radical libertarian leader, Javier Milei, is facing a pivotal moment in his presidency with voters set to deliver their verdict on his two-year-old administration on Sunday against a backdrop of political and economic crisis and accusations that his ally Donald Trump is meddling in the country’s affairs.A poor showing in Sunday’s midterm election would be a hammer blow to Milei, who took power in December 2023 pledging to kickstart “a new era of peace and prosperity” by slashing spending and inflation. Continue reading...

Politics

9 d. ago ‘It’s a crucial vote’: Turkish Cypriots face choice between peace and partition

Election in Turkish-occupied northern Cyprus will determine whether peace talks to reunify island can be revivedVoters in Turkish-occupied northern Cyprus have been casting ballots in a presidential poll seen as pivotal to determining whether peace talks on the divided Mediterranean island can be revived.In an election watched closely by the international community, the 218,000-strong Turkish Cypriot electorate has a choice: to either support the nationalist incumbent, Ersin Tatar, who advocates a two-state solution to the complex Cyprus problem, and further integration with Turkey, or the leftwing veteran, Tufan Erhürman, who backs a return to UN-brokered peace talks. Continue reading...

Politics

1 week ago After winning Trump's $20 billion, President Milei must win votes as Argentine industry reels

The drastic austerity program of Argentina’s libertarian President Javier Milei has succeeded in lowering inflation and won effusive praise from President Donald Trump

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1 week ago The Latest: Trump awards Charlie Kirk the Presidential Medal of Freedom

President Donald Trump has awarded the nation’s highest civilian honor, the Presidential Medal of Freedom, posthumously to Charlie Kirk on Tuesday

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2 w. ago Argentine President roars his way through rock concert after $20bn bail out from the US

Argentine President Javier Milei donned his rock star persona as he took to the stage to promote his new book amid scandals, public discontent and economic hardship.

Politics

3 w. ago Javier Milei belts out 80s anthems as Argentina’s economy unravels

Facing protests and scandal, Argentina’s ‘rock star president’ performs in Buenos Aires, saying: ‘I’m human’Argentina’s “rock star president” Javier Milei has been struggling to get much satisfaction of late, as his pledge to lead the country into a new era of prosperity foundered amid a wave of economic strife, scandal and public discontent.But on Monday night the scruffy haired South American populist – the former frontman in a Rolling Stones tribute band – took to the stage in Buenos Aires hoping to sing his way out of the funk. Continue reading...

Politics

3 w. ago Burning down the house: Milei plays rock star as Argentina economy crashes

Facing protests and scandal, Argentina’s ‘rock star president’ performs in Buenos Aires, saying: ‘I’m human’Argentina’s “rock star president” Javier Milei has been struggling to get much satisfaction of late, as his pledge to lead the country into a new era of prosperity foundered amid a wave of economic strife, scandal and public discontent.But on Monday night the scruffy-haired South American populist – the former frontman in a Rolling Stones tribute band – took to the stage in Buenos Aires hoping to sing his way out of the funk. Continue reading...

Events

3 w. ago Farage, Trump, Musk: your boy Javier Milei just took one hell of a beating. Why so quiet?

The wild politics and chainsaw made Argentina’s president an economic hero for the right. And now, with his nation’s finances in chaos: silenceSo you really want to know how Prime Minister Farage would pan out? Well, speculate no longer. An excellent test case is unfolding right now, in a country that just so happens to be run by one of Nigel’s heroes. Javier Milei is “amazing”, said the CEO of the private company he calls Reform. “Cutting and slashing doing all the things he’s done that’s leadership.”You may know some of this story, about how a political outsider took power in Argentina. You’ve seen photos of El Loco, the self-styled madman, in a black leather jacket, with sideburns like hedges and wielding a giant red chainsaw – all the better to slash the public sector with. Taking over Latin America’s second-largest country made Milei the poster boy of the international hard right. Elon Musk: “I love Javier Milei.” Kemi Badenoch: “Javier Milei is the template.” Donald Trump: “My...

Politics

3 w. ago Farage, Trump, Musk: your boy Javier Milei just took one hell of a beating. Why so quiet? | Aditya Chakrabortty

The wild politics and chainsaw made Argentina’s president an economic hero for the right. And now, with his nation’s finances in chaos: silenceSo you really want to know how Prime Minister Farage would pan out? Well, speculate no longer. An excellent test case is unfolding right now, in a country that just so happens to be run by one of Nigel’s heroes. Javier Milei is “amazing”, said the CEO of the private company he calls Reform. “Cutting and slashing doing all the things he’s done that’s leadership.”You may know some of this story, about how a political outsider took power in Argentina. You’ve seen photos of El Loco, the self-styled madman, in a black leather jacket, with sideburns like hedges and wielding a giant red chainsaw – all the better to slash the public sector with. Taking over Latin America’s second-largest country made Milei the poster boy of the international hard right. Elon Musk: “I love Javier Milei.” Kemi Badenoch: “Javier Milei is the template.” Donald Trump: “My...

Politics

4 w. ago Springsteen: Deliver Me from Nowhere review – solid biopic both embraces and avoids cliche

New York film festival: Jeremy Allen White is a convincingly tortured rock star in this smartly narrow and specific look at a particular chapter of music historyThe genre of the musical biopic is one that, as Timothée Chalamet acknowledged while accepting a Sag award for playing Bob Dylan earlier this year, “could be perhaps tired”. The beats of the genre – the initial obstacles, the double-edged sword of success, the actors’ pursuit of industry awards for spirited impersonation – are by now so familiar that you’re almost expected to enter with more than a bit of skepticism, even when the artist at hand is one as widely beloved as Bruce Springsteen.Like A Complete Unknown, in which Chalamet portrayed Dylan from 1961 until his pivot to electric in 1965, Deliver Me from Nowhere, Springsteen’s authorized biopic starring Jeremy Allen White, tries to thread a difficult needle between offering the standard treats and subverting expectations, between narrativizing genius and resisting hagi...

Sport

4 w. ago Moldova’s president Maia Sandu hails voters’ refusal to be ‘bought’ by Moscow

Ruling party holds on to its majority in Sunday’s poll, which it says is ‘strong mandate for EU accession’Europe live – latest updatesMoldova’s pro-western president, Maia Sandu, has hailed voters’ refusal to be “bought” by Moscow after her ruling party held on to its parliamentary majority in Sunday’s pivotal election, bolstering the tiny country’s aspiration of joining the EU and distancing itself from Russia’s influence.“We did not allow ourselves to be bought, intimidated or frightened,” she said on Monday. “We mobilised and defended our country through honest, democratic choice. Continue reading...

Politics

4 w. ago Moldova’s election result bolsters move towards EU and away from Moscow

Pro-European ruling party win comes after ‘massive pressure from Russia and its proxies’Europe live – latest updatesMoldova’s pro-European ruling party held on to its parliamentary majority after Sunday’s pivotal election, strengthening the country of 2.4 million’s attempt to move towards the EU and away from Moscow.With more than 99.9% of ballots counted, president Maia Sandu’s pro-western Action and Solidarity party (PAS) had 50.03% of the vote, putting it on track to win 55 of the 101 seats in parliament. That compared with 24.26% for a Moscow-leaning alliance of Soviet-nostalgic parties led by the former president Igor Dodon, according to results published on the election commission’s website. Continue reading...

Politics

4 w. ago Moldova’s president hails voters’ refusal refusal to be ‘bought’ by Moscow

Ruling party holds on to its majority in Sunday’s poll which it says is ‘strong mandate for EU accession’Europe live – latest updatesMoldova’s pro-European ruling party held on to its parliamentary majority after Sunday’s pivotal election, strengthening the country of 2.4 million’s attempt to move towards the EU and away from Moscow.With more than 99.9% of ballots counted, president Maia Sandu’s pro-western Action and Solidarity party (PAS) had 50.03% of the vote, putting it on track to win 55 of the 101 seats in parliament. That compared with 24.26% for a Moscow-leaning alliance of Soviet-nostalgic parties led by the former president Igor Dodon, according to results published on the election commission’s website. Continue reading...

Politics

4 w. ago Moldova’s election result boosts move towards EU and away from Moscow

Pro-European ruling party win comes after ‘massive pressure from Russia and its proxies’Europe live – latest updatesMoldova’s pro-European ruling party held on to its parliamentary majority after Sunday’s pivotal election, strengthening the country of 2.4 million’s attempt to move towards the EU and away from Moscow.With more than 99.9% of ballots counted, president Maia Sandu’s pro-western Action and Solidarity party (PAS) had 50.03% of the vote, putting it on track to win 55 of the 101 seats in parliament. That compared with 24.26% for a Moscow-leaning alliance of Soviet-nostalgic parties headed by the former president Igor Dodon, according to results published on the election commission’s website. Continue reading...

Politics

last month Moldovans vote in pivotal election that could steer it closer to EU or Russia

Day marked by attempts of disruption including cyberattacks on election systems and fake bomb threatsMoldovans voted in a pivotal parliamentary election on Sunday that will decide whether the country of 2.4 million stays on its path towards EU membership or drifts back into Moscow’s orbit, amid widespread reports of Russian meddling.The president, Maia Sandu, and her pro-western Action and Solidarity party (PAS) faced a stiff challenge in the election from an alliance of Soviet-nostalgic, Moscow-friendly parties led in part by the former president, Igor Dodon, whom Sandu defeated in 2020. Continue reading...

Politics

last month Moldova heads to polls in pivotal vote that could steer it closer to EU or Russia

President tells voters ‘our dear home is in danger’, as her pro-west party tries to hold on to parliamentary majority Moldovans have begun voting in a pivotal parliamentary election that will decide whether the country of 2.4 million stays on its path towards EU membership or drifts back into Moscow’s orbit, amid widespread reports of Russian meddling.The president, Maia Sandu, and her pro-western Action and Solidarity party (PAS), face a stiff challenge in Sunday’s election from an alliance of Soviet-nostalgic, pro-Russian parties led in part by the former president Igor Dodon, whom Sandu defeated in 2020. Continue reading...

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